Problem is two hole draw
Hello. When I first pick up my harp in the morning and start playing the two hole draw won't sound. After five or ten minutes of playing it starts working properly. Do you know what that problem is and what I can do to fix it. It is a Hohner Special 20, key of A,
Thanks
- Are you "bending" (Eb) or simply drawing on the 2 reed (E)?
- Are you able to play the desired note (E) on your 3 blow reed?
- Have you had a similar experience with any other A-harmonica?
- How long have you been playing diatonic harmonicas?
1. I am not bending.
2. The blow works well
3. I have not tried another A harmnica.
4. I have been playing for one year.
Thank you for the post. I'm sorry for the delayed response. I was just informed that Kinya will be out for a while, recovering from an unscheduled surgery. He is doing well, but needs time to recoup. I have asked another expert to answer your question in the interim. We will be back to you as soon as possible with an answer. Thank you for your patience.
Based on your answers to Kinya's questions
1. I am not bending.
2. The blow works well
3. I have not tried another A harmnica.
4. I have been playing for one year.
Here is what i would advise:
1. Take the cover plates off of the harmonica - look at the draw reed plate (the oneon the bottom, with the reeds exposed) - Does the 2 hole draw reed look closer to the reed plate than the reeds in holes 1 or 3?
2. Now slip a pocket knife blade or somthing similar - thin enough to slide under the reed - and lift the reed up about an eighth of an inche and then let it go. I call this "plinking" the reed. It should sound clear. Plink the reeds on either side of this reed to compare.
3. If the reed is closer to the reed plate than the other reeds, you will need to raise the reed up so it sits higher. This means lifting the reed up until you feel resistance, then releasing it, check by plinking the reed, and look for more gap between the reed and the reed plate. I woulld strongly advise trying out this process on a scrap reed plate or harmonica that you can afford to destroy. You want to get a feel for the metal. You are re- setting a spring. You have to go beyond its set point so it ends up with a new default setting.
4. If the reed does not sound clear when you plink it, it may be hitting the side of the slot somewhere because the reed is not centered. You will have to take the harmonica apart and sight the reed in the slot with back-lighting to verify this. Shine a light through the reed plate as you push the reed into the slot and look to see if at any point the reed gets very close or actually hits the side of the slot. If that happens you need a reed wrench to move it enough to center it.
Let me know if this helps!
I did what you suggested and the problem is now gone. The reed was too close to the reed plate. It was easy to set it higher.
Thanks for your help.
Awesome!
Now you know what to do when a reed hesitates.
As long as you take your time and be careful about how much pressure you use when changing a reed, you can safely use this basic process to improve the overall response of any reed on one of your harmonicas.
Cngratulations on a successful adventure in harmonica technology!
Hello Vid Wes, first of all:
Your Harpsmith, Kinya